The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant [Paperback]

Rowan Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

Hemp, Cannabis sativa, has been called the world's most versatile plant. Materials made from hemp fiber have been discovered in tombs dating back to 7000 B.C. During the Middle Ages hemp was used to treat fevers, insomnia, and malaria. Columbus's ships had sails of hemp, and during colonial times it was universally grown because its strong fibers made superior ropes, sails, cloth, and paper. In fact, hemp was used for money in most of the Americas from 1631 until the early 1800s, and the original drafts of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written on hemp paper.

As a food, the oil from hemp seeds has the highest percentage of essential fatty acids and the lowest percentage of saturated fats. Britain and Canada have recently lifted bans on growing industrial hemp and today it is reappearing in the marketplace in an amazing array of products: from lip-salve, jeans, salad oil, and cheese to paper products, composite fiberboard, and biomass fuel.

This illustrated, easy-to-read guide covers all aspects of hemp:

•  The history of its cultivation worldwide

•  Its role as a source of renewable energy and as an alternative for paper manufacturing and fossil fuels

•  Its versatility as a fiber

•  Its many nutritional and medicinal uses

•  Examines the physiological and psychological effects of marijuana use in recreation and therapy

•  A comprehensive resource section includes information on organizations involved in legalizing hemp, product suppliers, and an annotated bibliography.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Great Book of Hemp brings together a vast amount of information on all aspects of this remarkable plant in an illustrated, entertaining, easily accessible format. Readers will learn the history of hemp cultivation worldwide and its role as a source of renewable energy and as a raw material for paper manufacturing. Lost in the political discussions about marijuana usage is hemp's versatility as a fiber and its many nutritional and medicinal uses. The Great Book of Hemp provides a comprehensive resource section with information on organizations involved in legalizing hemp, product suppliers, and an annotated bibliography."
(

Wisconsin Bookwatch

)

"The engagingly written, well-illustrated reference book is a thoughtful contribution to the discussion of hemp.  The Great Book of Hemp makes a strong case for reconsidering hemp now!"
(

Thomas P. Healy, Branches

)

From the Back Cover

CURRENT AFFAIRS

“ Hemp is of first necessity of the wealth and protection of the country.”
--Thomas Jefferson

Hemp, Cannabis sativa, has been called man’s greatest plant ally. It has been worshipped as a source of spiritual enlightenment and a sustainer of human life, but until recently hemp’s amazing past was virtually forgotten. Once at the foundation of civilization’s economy, it was not until the twentieth century that hemp was outlawed. But hemp is back. Europe and Canada have lifted bans on growing industrial hemp and it has exploded onto the marketplace in a dazzling array of products: from jeans, sneakers, and lip balm to tree-free paper, fiber board, and insulation. With new technology it is possible to make anything from hemp that we now make from petroleum--including paint, plastic, and biomass energy.

In this illustrated, comprehensive guide, Rowan Robinson reveals hemp’s hidden history. He examines hemp’s role as man’s first fiber crop, its role in Hinduism and other world religions, and as the catalyst of cultural revolution in the 1960s. Robinson also exposes the prejudices and cover-ups behind the marijuana hysteria of the last fifty years.

Calling on contemporary studies, as well as ancient wisdom, Robinson makes an extensive analysis of the nutritional and medicinal uses of hemp and of its surprising potential to solve some of the world’s, most troubling environmental problems such as soil erosion, soil contamination, and deforestation. With a resource section listing the companies and organizations involved in the hemp renaissance, The Great Book of Hemp is your complete guide to the world’s most extraordinary plant.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Park Street Press; annotated edition edition (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892815418
• ISBN-13: 978-0892815418
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #274,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Most Informative Book on Uses of a Wonderous Plant, October 5, 2007

By 

Asheagle "Asheagle" (Central, Ohio) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant (Paperback)

This is one of the most Informative works on the subject of Hemp that I have read in 20 years. I have been researching Hemp & Marijuana for over 40 years. To date this is one of the most educational compilations of information on the subject that I have found. If everyone in America were made aware of the information in this book, the insanity of the Hemp/marijuana war being waged in this country by overzealot/misinformed
Law Makers and Enforcers would end. Then we could begin building a Billion dollar industry that will save the countries farmers and the world would be a better place.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Setting the records straight -, February 10, 2010

By 

Annie Knutz "Annie Knutz" (Placerville, CA, United States) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant (Paperback)

Through my 20's & 30's I was "on the wagon" from marijuana 'cuz I was doing the church thing. It was the only thing I really regretted having to give up. I didn't miss cigarettes and alcohol was a good thing to learn to live without. I've always felt like marijuana is a tremendous gift from God. When my physicians prescribed narcotics for my chronic pain I decided it was time to try using my old friend, MaryJane, for relief. First thing I did was read everything I could get my hands on about MJ. This book is a Gold Mine of information. Of all the books, pamphlets and stuff on the internet I've read, The Great Book of Hemp was the most comprehensive and informative. Prohibition of marijuana is wrong in SO many ways. Since reading this book (over & over & over - the library finally recorded it as lost! I took it back and bought my own.) I am Excited to do what I can to help change the laws regarding marijuana. I think that if people who aren't familiar with MJ as a medicine or recreational intoxicant learned about it's many benefits, they too would see how ridiculous and EXPENSIVE it is to keep it as an illegal substance. The economic benefits that legalization would bring would not just save jillions of dollars in legal expenses it would ADD money to our government funds by way of taxation. I believe this book is a valuable tool to educate the public as they ponder whether or not to vote for or otherwise support legalization.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mind Blowing, January 24, 2007

By 

Christine Carey - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Great Book of Hemp: The Complete Guide to the Environmental, Commercial, and Medicinal Uses of the World's Most Extraordinary Plant (Paperback)

Very insightful,I had only learned the negative effects in school and growing up. This plant could really could really help heal our planet.